Operating an Infusion Pump System

• US 20080045931A1
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Insulet Corporation, M2 Medical Group Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: M2 Medical A/S
• Inventors: Wenger, Mitchell, Kirschen, Todd, Mernoe, Morten, Causey, James, Estes, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,776,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/890.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14506 mechanically driven, e.g. spring or clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14573 with a replaceable reservoir for quick connection/disconnection with a driving system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31518 designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/003 Kits for diabetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump

Abstract

Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device and a removable controller device. When the pump device and the removable controller device are removably attached to one another, the components may provide a portable infusion pump unit to dispense medicine to a user. In particular embodiments, the removable controller device includes a user interface to readily provide information, for example, about the operation of the pump.

Claims

1. A medical infusion pump system, comprising:

a pump device including a drive system to dispense a medicine from the pump device;

a first removable controller device having a first user interface, the first removable controller device being removably attachable to the pump device and being electrically connected to the pump device when removably attached; and

a second removable controller device having a second user interface that is different from the first user interface, the second removable controller device being removably attachable to the pump device and being electrically connected to the pump device when removably attached.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second user interface comprises one or more user-selectable buttons that are different from one or more user-selectable buttons of the first user interface.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first user interface comprises one or more user-selectable buttons to control the dispensation of a first medicine, and the second user interface comprises one or more user-selectable buttons to control the dispensation of a second medicine different from the first medicine.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first user interface comprises a first display to provide information regarding the dispensation of the first medicine, and the second user interface comprises a second display to provide information regarding the dispensation of the second medicine.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein medical infusion pump system is portable when the pump device is removably attached to one of the first and second controller devices in a fixed relationship.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump device is mechanically attachable to only one of the first and second removable controller devices at a time.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein when the first controller device is removably attached to the pump device, the first controller device electrically communicates signals to at least a portion of the drive system of the pump device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first controller device electrically communicates signals via a hard-wired electrical connection including one or more electrical contacts of the pump device and one or more electrical contacts of the first controller device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the pump device and the first controller device, when removably attached, provide a hand-graspable portable unit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump device comprises a pump housing structure that defines a space to receive a medicine cartridge.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the drive system of the pump device comprises a flexible piston rod that is incrementally advanced toward the medicine cartridge when the medicine cartridge is received by the pump housing structure.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump device houses a first battery that transmits electrical energy to a rechargeable battery housed in the first controller device when the pump device is removably attached to the first controller device, the first battery providing energy to charge the rechargeable battery in the first controller device over a period of time.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the rechargeable battery in the first controller device periodically discharges bursts of electrical current to power the drive system of the pump device when the pump device is removably attached to the first controller device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive system of the pump device comprises a rotational motor that acts upon a ratchet mechanism.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein one or more full rotations of the rotational motor causes a pawl member of the ratchet mechanism to pivot.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the rotational motor comprises a reversible motor that outputs rotation in a first direction and in a second opposite direction.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the rotational motor receives electrical energy from a battery that is arranged in the controller device and outside of the pump device.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the first controller device comprises a first controller housing structure and the pump device comprises a pump housing structure, the first controller housing structure being matable with a complementary portion of the pump housing structure so as to form a releasable mechanical connection.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the user interface is mounted to the first controller housing structure that is matable with the pump housing structure so that the user interface is viewable to a user while looking toward the pump device when the releasable mechanical connection is formed.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the second controller device comprises a second controller housing structure and the pump device comprises a pump housing structure, the second controller housing structure being matable with a complementary portion of the pump housing structure so as to form a releasable mechanical connection.